James “Whitey” Bulger Sentenced, Part 1

Mollie Halpern: One of the FBI’s former Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, James “Whitey” Bulger, is sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus five years for 31 counts—including 11 murders. The notorious mobster was also ordered to pay nearly $20 million in restitution.

I’m Mollie Halpern of the FBI, and this is Gotcha—the Bureau’s featured case of the week. Bulger led the Winter Hill Gang—a criminal enterprise that rained terror in the city of Boston for decades.

Richard Teahan: The criminal enterprise was involved in extortion—both of individuals and also businesses that they would target; murder—for anyone that got in their way; drug distribution; money laundering; and other violent acts.

Halpern: That was Supervisory Special Agent Richard Teahan of the Boston Division, who was involved in Bulger’s investigation, trial, and sentencing. Bulger went on the lam in January 1995 after learning he was going to be indicted. He took his girlfriend with him.

Teahan: Picked up Catherine Greig and fled to New York; Chicago; Grand Isle, Louisiana; and ultimately, then Santa Monica, California.

Halpern: Bulger and Greig managed to elude law enforcement for 15 years. On the next Gotcha, hear what tools investigators used during their international manhunt—and what finally led to the couple’s arrest in June of 2011.